Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles

AlabamaNomadRider · 10-23-2010, 10:20 AM

http://motorcycles.about.com/od/moto...er_Storage.htm

For those of you that store your Nomad or other motorcycle for an extended period. Found this on ask.com and thought it might be helpful for you.

macmac · 10-23-2010, 10:36 AM

That's timely....... it's loading, so I haven't seen it yet.

Not bad........

If it gets wicked cold and the bike is subject to it like mine, it's a good idea to bring the seats inside, as well as the battery, which should be on a auto float charger minimum.

Wicked cold for vinals begins around +20 degrees F. Here in NH we have -40 below, and that tends to stiffen vinals and shear the stitching, which is no fun if that also includes ripping the seams.

I tend to use wax and leave it there. Moving air is essencial, and my enclosed trailer is a problem that way, while it does have vents.

I go look the bike over from time to time and clean up the water it makes with air temp inversions.

If you can see water condense on the outside you can bank on water is being made on the inside.

If the engine oil has over 200 miles on it i change that too. My bike will need a change for sure as it has apx 2,500 miles on the oil now.

There can be severe bearing damage by leaving old oil setting about, filled with contaminates, mostly sulfuric acid, when combined with any water will eat babbit bearing, and alloy like mad.

ridemslow · 10-23-2010, 11:08 AM

Good Info to have on hand.

**ringadingh** · 10-23-2010, 11:26 AM

We have a pretty good how to article here in our own Tech Board section.
http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/v...ic.php?t=19218

cactusjack · 10-23-2010, 04:10 PM

Winter? Storage?

**ringadingh** · 10-23-2010, 05:43 PM

I don't really do anything special when I store my bike. I ride as late into the season as possible and just park it when the snow is here to stay.
I do try to make sure that the oil has been recently changed, full tank of gas, and that there is no salt on the bike. Thats about it.

macmac · 10-23-2010, 05:57 PM

yeah Cj most of us have winter storage problems, unlike you who have summer storage, and we can't fry eggs on the seat either

timebandit · 10-23-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

I don't really do anything special when I store my bike. I ride as late into the season as possible and just park it when the snow is here to stay.
I do try to make sure that the oil has been recently changed, full tank of gas, and that there is no salt on the bike. Thats about it.

Same here

cactusjack · 10-23-2010, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

yeah Cj most of us have winter storage problems, unlike you who have summer storage, and we can't fry eggs on the seat either

I'll ride any day in the summer, Mac. My bike never sits more than a couple of days without being ridden, unless I am out of town.

macmac · 10-23-2010, 07:22 PM

More power to ya. Over 108 and i quit. It never gets near to that hot here, but it did in SD.

My son went to college in Pnx, and made a video of cookin eggs on the side walk in a pan of course. Too hot to suit me, that's a fact.

AlabamaNomadRider · 10-23-2010, 08:47 PM

CJ I did the post for the benefit of others. I didn't do it for myself as I ride through out the year. I may misss a week but within that time it will warm up enough for me to get some riding in.

macmac · 10-24-2010, 10:44 AM

Up heya' we ride all year too, but the winter motorcycles don't have any wheels.

They don't go on the roads either, but can cross any roads. You can still go to the same places, any where you want from Maine to Washington, and right up into Canada all you like.

blowndodge · 10-24-2010, 11:27 AM

I plug it into the battery tender and take the bike out on the weekends and ride a couple hundred miles then plug it back in and wait for the next weekend and repeat. Seems to work for me..

cactusjack · 10-24-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlabamaNomadRider

CJ I did the post for the benefit of others. I didn't do it for myself as I ride through out the year. I may misss a week but within that time it will warm up enough for me to get some riding in.

Okay Gene, thanks for setting me straight! ::)

**glwilson** · 10-24-2010, 01:19 PM

Winter storage:

Step 1: (Two options)

1st: Ride the bike to AZ and put it in a garage; and proceed to ride "at will" all winter.
2nd: Pack the bike-up in a trailer and take it to a garage in AZ; and proceed to ride "at will" all winter.

Step 2: Re-read Step 1

10-23-2010, 10:20 AM	#1
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles http://motorcycles.about.com/od/moto...er_Storage.htm For those of you that store your Nomad or other motorcycle for an extended period. Found this on ask.com and thought it might be helpful for you. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-23-2010, 10:36 AM	#2
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles That's timely....... it's loading, so I haven't seen it yet. Not bad........ If it gets wicked cold and the bike is subject to it like mine, it's a good idea to bring the seats inside, as well as the battery, which should be on a auto float charger minimum. Wicked cold for vinals begins around +20 degrees F. Here in NH we have -40 below, and that tends to stiffen vinals and shear the stitching, which is no fun if that also includes ripping the seams. I tend to use wax and leave it there. Moving air is essencial, and my enclosed trailer is a problem that way, while it does have vents. I go look the bike over from time to time and clean up the water it makes with air temp inversions. If you can see water condense on the outside you can bank on water is being made on the inside. If the engine oil has over 200 miles on it i change that too. My bike will need a change for sure as it has apx 2,500 miles on the oil now. There can be severe bearing damage by leaving old oil setting about, filled with contaminates, mostly sulfuric acid, when combined with any water will eat babbit bearing, and alloy like mad. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

10-23-2010, 11:08 AM	#3
ridemslow Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chesapeake, Ohio Posts: 1,537	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles Good Info to have on hand. __________________
	0

10-23-2010, 11:26 AM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles We have a pretty good how to article here in our own Tech Board section. http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/v...ic.php?t=19218 __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

10-23-2010, 04:10 PM	#5
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles Winter? Storage? __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-23-2010, 05:43 PM	#6
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles I don't really do anything special when I store my bike. I ride as late into the season as possible and just park it when the snow is here to stay. I do try to make sure that the oil has been recently changed, full tank of gas, and that there is no salt on the bike. Thats about it. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

10-23-2010, 05:57 PM	#7
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles yeah Cj most of us have winter storage problems, unlike you who have summer storage, and we can't fry eggs on the seat either __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

10-23-2010, 07:22 PM	#10
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles More power to ya. Over 108 and i quit. It never gets near to that hot here, but it did in SD. My son went to college in Pnx, and made a video of cookin eggs on the side walk in a pan of course. Too hot to suit me, that's a fact. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

10-23-2010, 08:47 PM	#11
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles CJ I did the post for the benefit of others. I didn't do it for myself as I ride through out the year. I may misss a week but within that time it will warm up enough for me to get some riding in. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
	0

10-24-2010, 10:44 AM	#12
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles Up heya' we ride all year too, but the winter motorcycles don't have any wheels. They don't go on the roads either, but can cross any roads. You can still go to the same places, any where you want from Maine to Washington, and right up into Canada all you like. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

10-24-2010, 11:27 AM	#13
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles I plug it into the battery tender and take the bike out on the weekends and ride a couple hundred miles then plug it back in and wait for the next weekend and repeat. Seems to work for me.. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

10-24-2010, 01:19 PM	#15
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Tips For Winter Storage of Motorcycles Winter storage: Step 1: (Two options) 1st: Ride the bike to AZ and put it in a garage; and proceed to ride "at will" all winter. 2nd: Pack the bike-up in a trailer and take it to a garage in AZ; and proceed to ride "at will" all winter. Step 2: Re-read Step 1 __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
	0

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